Snow Blindness

The condition of niphablepsia, also known as snow blindness, results from exposure to bright ultraviolet light rays reflected off ice or snow into the eyes. As the common name of this disorder suggests it occurs mainly in areas where there is ice or snow. Also, as elevation increases by every thousand feet, the ultraviolet rays become more intense by five percent. This means that the chance of this disorder is higher for winter sports enthusiasts who ski or snowboard. Luckily there are preventative methods that you can take to protect yourself. First, let's take a look at the telltale symptoms of this condition.

Niphablespia can be quite painful and is usually classified as a type of keratitis. Arc eye, a condition experienced by some welders, is similar to this. You could call this condition a form of corneal sunburn. This may not become evident until hours after the exposure occurs. The symptoms of this condition include eyes that are teary and red. Also, eyes may be very painful, feel like there is grit or sand in them or even become swollen. Although it is unlikely, severe cases can cause permanent vision loss. Now that you know the symptoms of niphablespia it is important to understand prevention and treatment.

Sunglasses with 100 percent UV protection are a must. There are specially tinted ski sunglasses that are recommended if you're going to enjoy time on a snowy mountain or icy location. Even the Inuit Eskimo tribe knew the dangers of this condition and made their own protective goggles carved from the antlers of caribou. Although primitive, these makeshift sunglasses did their job of protecting the eyes of the Inuit people from niphablespia. Luckily today we have all kinds of choices such as ski glasses from leading companies like Oakley made for ultimate optical protection. When shopping for sunglasses, look for wraparound styles that provide maximum coverage, preferably with CR-39 or polycarbonate lenses.

Treatment for snow blindness is usually quite simple. To allow your cornea to heal properly avoid touching or rubbing your eyes and do not wear contact lenses. Ibuprofen may be taken with your doctor's approval to minimize any discomfort. Eyes can be covered with soft cloth or gauze and should be rested in the dark if possible. Wet compresses can soothe any burning. This condition should be monitored every six hours or so to check for improvement or worsening. When you can comfortably open your eyes you may remove the compresses and dressings, but make sure to wear sunglasses outdoors and see your eye doctor if you feel the condition is not resolved in a few days.

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